Amusement device.



M. M. MAUGK. AMUSBMENT DEVICE.

APPLIUATION FILED Nov. 2, 1914.

Patented Mar.30,1915.

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` OFFFCE.

i MARCELLUS MIFFLIN MAUCK, OF ATLANTA, GEORG-IA.

AIVIUSEMENT VDEVICEl Application filed November 2, 1914.

To all whom it may concern.' i

Be it known that I, MAnonLLUs MIFFLIN Manon, a citizen of the United States, residing at Atlanta, in the county of Fulton and State of Georgia, have inventedcertain new and useful improvements in Amusement Devices;` and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in amusement devices, and more particularly to inclined chutes.

The object of the invention is to provide a new and novel construction for furnishing lhealthy outdoor and indoor exercise, more particularly for children and young people.

In carrying out the above end, an inclined chute is provided having a plurality of longitudinally and transversely spaced projections upon its upper face, said projections gradually increasing in height from their edges toward their centers. By this means, persons sliding upon the chute will be directed in substantially zigzag directions on their downward course, thereby producing a vast amount of amusement, especially when a number of persons are employing the device at the same time.

W ith the above object in view the invention resides in certain novel features of construction and combination, herein described and claimed and shown in the drawings wherein:

Figure l is a top plan view of an amusement device constructed in accordance with my invention; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section thereof as seen on the line 2 2 of Fig. l; Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken on the plane of the line 8.-3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail vertical section showing a slightly different form of construction.

ln the accompanying drawings, the numeral l designates an inclined chute which may be of any suitableV size and proportion and which preferably is constructed of two or more longitudinal sills 2 whose lower ends are curved as seen at 3, to cause their extremities to lie in substantially horizontal planes. Secured transversely upon the sills 2 is a fioor 4i which may be attached thereto, by nails or screws 5 or by other suitable means. As clearly seen in Fig. 2, the floor Li is formed of a number of trans- Speccaton of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 30, i915.,

serieu No. 869,947.

v erse boards, although this exact construction is not essential. It will likewise be seen that the lower end of the chute is supported upon suitable legs 6 while the rear or upper end thereof is likewise supported upon longer legs 7 which may be trussed or braced in any suitable manner.

Adjacent the upper end of the chute l, is preferably disposed, a horizontal platform 8 Lo which steps 9 rise from the ground, said steps and the platform being provided with an appropriate hand rail l0. The steps 9 and the legs 6 and 7, are preferably detachably secured to the chute and platform, and the latter is, in most cases, detachably connected with the chute l, these provisions being made in order that the device may readily be transported from place to place.

ln addition to the above mentioned detachable elements, side strips 1l, preferably of wood are held in contact with the outer sides of the sills 2, and with the adjacent edges of the floor 4f, by removable rods l2 which pass through said sills and strips, said rods having nuts 13 on their free ends.

Secured upon the upper side of the iioor 4, is a sheet metal covering 14 which may be formed of a single sheet of metal, as illustrated in the drawings, or may be formed in any number of suitably connected sections. The covering la is provided, at suitable points, spaced both transversely and longitudinally, with projections l5 which are here shown as struck upwardly from said metal, suitable-filling blocks 16 being located beneath said projections whereby the same are retained in proper positions. By reference more particularly to Fig. l, it will be seen that the projections 15 are spaced in substantially staggered relation, although this positioning is not essential, and that a projection is provided at the transverse center of the lower end of the chute, said projection being preferably of greater length than the others, for a purpose to appear.

As clearly illustrated in the drawings, the platform 8 is provided with aV sheet metal covering lli and preferably provided with edge strips or boards l1', although these features might well be dispensed with at this point, since the vhand rails l0 prevent persons from falling from said platform and the latter is merely designed to support the weight of persons when standing.

inrig. i, a Slightly moaned form of' projection 15', which like the projection 15, gradually increases in height from its edge to its center, is shown, said projection 15 being in the form of an inverted pan shaped suitable fastening screws or nails may be` passed through the overlapping portions of said covering and the flange, or ifdesirable, these portions may be soldered together.

The device may be constructed as above described, or in any appropriate manner, since the important features are the projections increasing in height from their edges to their centers, the remaining features of construction being immaterial. In fact, the legs 6 and 7 and the platform, may be omitted and the chute proper, may be positioned upon a terrace or hill, in which poe sition it will operate to equal advantage.

The operation of the device is as follows: The persons seeking enjoyment, will ascend to the top of the chute, upon the steps 9 or by any other means employed for this purpose, and will sit or liey upon the upper end of said chute on a pador cushion, gravityV now` causing the persons to slide downwardly. y During this downward travel, the

projections 15 or; 15. asV the case may be, are

encountered, which projections direct Ythe persons from side to side as they descend. This becomes extremely amusing and en joyable, when a number of persons are employing the device at the same time, since they'are thrown against one another and rolled from side to side by the projections. As the lower end of the chute is reached, however, the elongated projection serves to direct the persons to both sides ofthe device, thereby obviating the liability of'persons becoming injured as they leave the chute. i

Fromthe foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying illustration, it will be seen that I have provided an extremely simple amusement device which possesses anumber of advantageous features. I may here explain, however, that in addition to the structure above set forth, one or more extensions 25 may be provided which are designed to be attached to the discharge end of the chute 1, each of said sections being trougheshaped in cross section and being provided with a pair of hooks 26 designed to engage eyes 27 on the lower side of the formed integrally with their lower edges,

said. flanges beingA interposed between the chute and the'metal-covering therefor, and'V fasteners passing through said coveringiand the `flan-ges andinto the chute.

In testimony whereof:Illiave'hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing wits nesses. i

MARC'ELLUSMIFFLINZ HAUCK. YWitnesses JULIA RAMEY, IDA COPELAND.

Copiel ofths patent maybe obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissionerfof-ltenti,

Washington, D. C. 

